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Some of the volunteers who helped out at a fundraiser for victims of an accident at Costco on July 25, are left, Candice Wakulich, Cathy Kostendt, Linda Benardi and Angela Kovacs.
PATRICK BRENNAN QMI Agency

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The deaths of Addison Hall, 6, and her newborn sister Rhiannon Bozek after a crash at a south London Costco horrified Cathy Kostendt, who lives in Southwold and works in St. Thomas as a dental hygienist.

And there was also the loss of Peter Hildebrandt, 15, of Malahide Township, who went missing while swimming at Port Burwell. His body was later recovered.

The tragedies led Kostendt to email friends about holding a garage sale to raise money for the affected families.

But word spread quickly, and soon a bake sale was added, along with a barbecue and silent auction.

And they turned out in large numbers Saturday morning in the parkng lot at Wellington St. and Fourth Ave. - the offices of dentist Candice Wakulich - which was brimming with yard sale browsers, those coming to donate money and hungry visitors eager for the barbecue to heat up.

“It's totally snowballed,” Kostendt said.

“I'm just absolutely overwhelmed and at times brought to tears in shock, in the exact opposite way that those families would be.

“I'm just amazed at how kind people are, and generous.”

Linda Bernadi, another volunteer who helped with the fundraising effort, said everyone realized it could have been them who was victimized.

“I guess you realize you could be in a situation where you're not expecting this,” she said.

“You could use the help of donations to pay expenses.”

A week before the fundraiser, eight friends sat down to discuss what the best way to help the victims.

“Some friends got together and it was the power of Facebook,” Bernardi said. “You have to put yourself in their position. We said, maybe we can do something."

Saturday's efforts were supported by businesses and people who donated items like baked goods, soft drinks, household items for the garage sale, handmade quilts, collectible items like Royal Doulton figures, face painting for children and cash.

As of Monday, in excess of $6,300 had been raised.

The proceeds will be split evenly between the two families affected by the tragedies.

“I think we've already exceeded my goal, because it's just generated so much goodwill that it brings me to tears, to be quite honest,” Kostendt said.